All Themes Flashcards
(28 cards)
What does the title ‘Volver’ signify in the film?
‘Volver’ constitutes a ‘return’ on multiple levels, acting as a gateway into key themes such as rural and urban cultures, climate influence, death, and women’s fate.
Según el director, La Mancha representa el origen y el comienzo de todo. Los personajes de la película vuelven al pueblo no solo a reencontrarse con sus familiares y vecinos, sino a ellos mismos; es una experiencia catártica. A través de los personajes descubrimos la gastronomía, los ritos, las casas, las formas de hablar e incluso las formas de vestir o saludarse con esos múltiples besos tan sonoros, todo eminentemente manchego. Además, la cuidada escenografía de la película nos muestra cuando los personajes salen y entran de Castilla-La Mancha a Madrid por medio de las turbinas eólicas que en los últimos tiempos se han convertido en un nuevo símbolo de la región, como ya lo son los tradicionales molinos contra los que luchaba Don Quijote al creerlos monstruos.
What are the six main themes of ‘Volver’?
- Rural and urban culture
- The weather: fires and the wind
- Death
- Rebirth and return
- Women, motherhood, and family
- Secrets and lies
How does the director’s hometown influence ‘Volver’?
The rural region of La Mancha plays a key role, reflecting Almodóvar’s childhood and showcasing traditional customs, gastronomy, and the essence of Spanish culture.
What are the rural v urban contrasts?
The contrasts with city life are subtle, but numerous: stone pavements and roads, traditional home furnishings, harsh winds, a noticeably slower pace of life, an acceptance of the supernatural and even a different way of speaking. Raimunda, Sole, Irene and Aunt Paula use expressions typical of the region, such as “laborintera” (a person who schemes and causes trouble), “apoltronada” (a person who puts on weight as a result of not going out or doing exercise) and “darle a la lavadora” (to talk incessantly). The diminutive-ico/a is also frequently heard (“¡Tened cuidaico!”, “igualico”, “dinerico” etc.).
If the rural setting offers escape, by contrast, Madrid is the location of a more challenging adult reality. Raimunda toils through the working week, mopping the floors of an ultra-modern airport, and returning home to her good-for- nothing partner, Paco, who behaves lecherously towards her daughter, and later attempts to rape her. When her daughter, Paula, murders him, it is Raimunda who has the task of disposing of the body. Similarly, Sole is a lonely figure, precariously self-employed, using her small apartment as a hair salon. On several occasions we also encounter Regina, a Cuban prostitute who lives in the neighbourhood.
It is important to affirm, however, that although the rural and urban landscapes may contrast, the humanity, solidarity and strength of the female characters is evident in both locations. Raimunda thrives under pressure when preparing food in the restaurant for the film crew; Sole appears to be making a reasonable success of her illegal business; Regina is obliging, full of spark, and a symbol of the vibrant diversity that exists in the suburban communities of Madrid.
What role does fire play in ‘Volver’?
Fire is pivotal; it is linked to Raimunda’s parents’ deaths and symbolizes the destructive impact of harsh winds in Castilla-La Mancha.
En las últimas décadas, los incendios forestales se han convertido en un gran problema para España. Según datos oficiales se calcula que en las últimas décadas ha habido más de 20.000 incendios, lo que ha dado lugar a una gran alarma social y numerosas campañas de concienciación en los medios de comunicación. En el centro de España estos incendios pueden ser especialmente dañinos, ya que es una zona árida que necesita de una masa forestal para mantenerse.
What is the importance of wind and fire together?
By constantly intruding on the lives of the residents, pulling them one way then the other, pushing their dustbins down the street, swirling and howling incessantly, the winds appear to create a culture that is receptive to the presence of ghosts and omens. The threat of climate change also causes Raimunda to snap out of the nostalgia of childhood, as she observes that the Júcar river near to her home has dried up considerably since she was a little girl.
Raimunda: Es el viento solano que vuelve loca a la gente.
How is death portrayed differently in rural and urban settings in ‘Volver’?
In the village, death is treated with tradition and ritual, while in Madrid, it is depicted as disconcertingly real and matter-of-fact.
Almodóvar ha mencionado en numerosas entrevistas que aún hoy en día le sigue asombrando de manera pasmosa la forma en la que sus paisanos manchegos reaccionan ante la muerte, tan natural y llena de ritos. Al principio de Volver, el espectador ve dos muertes muy diferentes. Por un lado, tenemos a la tía Paula, que al morir nos muestra cómo siguen siendo los entierros al estilo de toda la vida: mujeres vestidas de negro de pies a cabeza, hombres de traje en otra habitación, oraciones y cotilleos a partes iguales y un cortejo fúnebre por las calles empedradas del pueblo. Por otro lado, la muerte de Paco es completamente diferente, trágica pero liberadora. Supone el momento álgido para Paula, que estremece al espectador con la confesión a su madre, quien no duda en encubrirla inmediatamente.
Las mujeres del pueblo, vestidas de negro de pies a cabeza celebran el velatorio de tía Paula con oraciones y cotilleos (fotograma de la película)
What are other contrast of death between rural and urban places?
If death in the fictional Manchegan village of Alcanfor de las Infantas is linked to tradition, ritual and the supernatural, then death in Madrid is disconcertingly real and matter-of-fact. In the village during the wake, Agustina discusses regular sightings of Irene’s ghost with no hint of scepticism; death is merely a journey into the afterlife. In Madrid, faced with Paco’s corpse, Raimunda quickly mops the floor of his blood, washes the murder weapon and dumps the body in the restaurant freezer. Death in the city is depersonalised, prosaic and an end in itself. To further emphasise this point, the whole episode is quickly expunged from memory when a business opportunity comes Raimunda’s way in the form of Emilio’s restaurant. Paula even reproaches her mother for not having buried the body weeks after the death.
What does ‘renacer y volver’ signify in the film?
‘Renacer y volver’ emphasizes themes of new beginnings and second chances, particularly for Raimunda as she reconnects with her roots and family.
What is the significance of the title of the film?
El título de la película no es ninguna casualidad. La historia entera está llena de vueltas, de nuevos comienzos y de segundas oportunidades. Para Almodóvar y para las protagonistas, es una vuelta a La Mancha, una vuelta a los orígenes y a la esencia de uno mismo. Para Raimunda, esta historia supone una segunda oportunidad, volver a sonreír, a ser feliz, a cambiar a un trabajo que realmente le gusta, volver a cantar y recordar su infancia e incluso volver a ver a su madre y retomar una relación perdida. La película es un canto optimista a la vida, a la familia y a las nuevas oportunidades que todo el mundo merece.
What is the significance of women and family in ‘Volver’?
Dos de los personajes más importantes de la película son madres. Raimunda, una madre joven y luchadora, sobrevive ella sola con su hija y dejando atrás muertes y tragedias, tira del carro con una dignidad y fuerza increíbles. Irene, su madre, vuelve del pasado para reencontrarse con sus hijas, confesar un gran secreto y volver a formar la familia que siempre quiso. Los valores familiares son muy importantes en la película, incluyendo aquí también relaciones de amistad muy cercanas, como Agustina, la vecina que es una parte tan importante de la familia.
Ya desde principio vemos el respeto y cuidado por los mayores, especialmente de Raimunda hacia la tía Paula, que sale de la casa entre lágrimas tras visitarla brevemente, emocionada por reencontrarse con ella.
Las vecinas del barrio de Vallecas donde vive Raimunda con su hija también nos muestran una convivencia y solidaridad entre vecinas dulce y protectora. No hay más que recordar la escena en la que Raimunda vuelve de la compra para preparar su primera cena para 30 personas cuando se encuentra con Regina, la prostituta cubana y pizpireta, a la que pide ayuda y ella no duda. Más tarde Regina también será su cómplice para ayudarle a enterrar el congelador con el cuerpo de Paco. También su vecina Inés no duda en venderle todos los embutidos y dulces que se trajo de su pueblo, en otro ejemplo de amistad altruista.
How is womanhood also portrayed?
In a brief but memorable scene following the death of Paco, Raimunda gives insight into the importance of the theme of womanhood in the film. Having hastily mopped Paco’s blood from the kitchen floor, she answers the door to Emilio, the restaurant owner. He notices a red smear on her neck and points it out to her. Raimunda quickly replies that it is simply “cosas de mujeres”, i.e. she is menstruating. There is a weight of meaning to these simple words. In terms of the plot, Raimunda knows that her reply will elicit no further questions from a clearly embarrassed and uncomfortable Emilio, and as a consequence, she will be able to keep secret Paco’s dead body in the kitchen behind her. Secondly, it is an assertion of her feminism, and her confidence in being able to control any threat to her position; women are beyond Emilio’s understanding.
Furthermore, Almodóvar is stating that this film is about women and women’s issues above all else. All of the main characters, and in fact, almost of all the cast, is female. Among these females are certain iconic actresses, such as Carmen Maura and Penélope Cruz, who have significant presence in Spanish cinema past and present. In her roles as a woman, daughter, mother and friend, Raimunda is undoubtedly the main character in the film, and she certainly wields considerable power over others. She protects her own daughter Paula fearlessly following the death of Paco, her own mother is desperate to rebuild her relationship with her, and she seems to leave the men she encounters, such as the film worker, spellbound by her looks and manner.
How are lies and secrets portrayed in ‘Volver’?
Lies and secrets are crucial to the plot, with characters maintaining hidden truths that drive the narrative forward.
What are some key lies?
¿Es Irene realmente un fantasma? ¿Qué ha pasado con Paco? ¿Quién es la rusa? ¿Es Raimunda la nueva dueña del restaurante? ¿Quién es el verdadero padre de Paula? Todas estas preguntas se responden mediante mentiras, algunas salen a la luz, como cuando Raimunda le confiesa a Emilio que se ha quedado con su restaurante, otras permanecen en secreto entre madre e hija, como la muerte de Paco. De hecho, Raimunda miente muy bien, incluso a su propia hermana a la que no solo le esconde el hecho de que Paco está muerto, sino que también inventa una historia que incluye una última visita del hombre a casa. Raimunda no escatima en lujo de detalles y reacciona de manera realista y convincente. La propia Paula le ruega a su madre que no mienta más, al quedarse atónita ante su madre que le confiesa que Paco no es su padre biológico. Por otro lado, la vuelta de Irene, muy comentada ya en las primeras escenas de la película, se materializa y nadie la cuestiona, ni ella misma se presenta como un espíritu o fantasma, pero las supersticiones de Sole la hacen seguir pensando que es una aparición. La emoción de tener a su madre de vuelta tiene más fuerza que el sentido común, y sea como sea, lo importante es tenerla de vuelta.
What does Sole believe about her mother in Volver?
Sole believes her mother is an apparition due to her superstitions. The emotion of having her mother back is stronger than common sense.
What is a central theme of the plot in Volver?
The plot of Volver is a labyrinth of secrets and lies. Characters all have their secrets to keep and see no moral issue in telling little white lies for their own benefit. Raimunda and her daughter Paula must keep the death of Paco a secret, and they even enlist other women in the neighbourhood to unwittingly assist in the disposal of his body. Furthermore, Raimunda herself must not let Emilio know that she is successfully running his restaurant in his absence. Irene has for years kept secret the fact that she did not die in the fire which killed her husband, rather it was her that started it. She lives a secret life, confined to Aunt Paula’s house until the latter’s death. In the final scene, Irene chooses not to tell Agustina that her mother was killed in the fire, instead keeping the matter to herself and letting Agustina die peacefully. Both Raimunda and her mother also keep another tragic secret: that Paula was conceived following the rape of Raimunda by her father. Even Sole, perhaps a less complex character, keeps her hairdressing business secret from the authorities, and does not initially tell Raimunda that their mother has returned. At one point, conversation between Sole and Raimunda becomes almost farcical as the former speaks about their mother as the Russian lady who is helping out as a hairdressing assistant, and the latter mentions that her deceased partner has left her following a heated argument, but is returning to perhaps try and patch things up. It is most striking that despite all this deceit and complexity, the characters generally appear positive, in control and their bonds strong.
What secret do Raimunda and Paula keep?
They keep the death of Paco a secret and enlist other women in the neighborhood to assist in disposing of his body.
What does Raimunda hide from Emilio?
Raimunda hides the fact that she is successfully running his restaurant in his absence.
What secret does Irene keep?
Irene keeps the secret that she did not die in the fire that killed her husband; she actually started it.
Where does Irene live after the fire?
Irene lives a secret life confined to Aunt Paula’s house until Paula’s death.
What does Irene choose not to tell Agustina?
Irene chooses not to tell Agustina that her mother was killed in the fire, allowing Agustina to die peacefully.
What tragic secret do Raimunda and her mother share?
They share the secret that Paula was conceived following the rape of Raimunda by her father.
What does Sole keep secret from the authorities?
Sole keeps her hairdressing business secret from the authorities.
What does Sole initially not tell Raimunda?
Sole does not initially tell Raimunda that their mother has returned.
